7 Types of Startup Founders—Which one are you?
Startups are hard. But let’s be real—so are the founders behind them. Every founder is unique, but they tend to fall into a few categories...
Startups are hard.
But let’s be real—so are the founders behind them.
The #1 thing every founder needs to know is… themself.
Every founder is unique, but they tend to fall into a few categories.
Ready to find out which type you are? Let’s dive in!
1. Solo Founder
Flying solo?
The Solo Founder prefers to work alone and wears all the hats.
They’re hands-on, independent, and maybe a little overworked.
Superpower: Doing everything.
Weakness: Doing everything.
Example:
Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx, started solo, handling everything from product design to marketing.
2. Visionary
Big ideas. Huge dreams.
The Visionary founder lives in the future.
They can see what others can’t and are always a step ahead—sometimes too far ahead.
Superpower: Turning ideas into reality.
Weakness: Forgetting the present.
Example:
Steve Jobs (Apple)—the ultimate visionary, Jobs revolutionized personal computing, music, and smartphones by seeing possibilities that others couldn’t and relentlessly pursuing them.
3. Serial Disruptor
The rebel of the startup world.
The Serial Disruptor wants to change everything—and does it over and over again.
This founder has a new idea every week and isn’t afraid to break the rules.
Superpower: Shaking things up.
Weakness: Maybe just chill for a second?
Examples:
Elon Musk (Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, The Boring Company)—Musk is the classic disruptor, constantly creating companies that challenge entire industries, from electric cars to space travel, and beyond.
Travis Kalanick (Uber) disrupted transportation globally and always had a taste for shaking things up.
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4. Engineer
The Engineer founder loves to build.
Code? Hardware? Doesn’t matter—they’re happiest when deep in the technical trenches.
Innovation is their middle name, but marketing? That’s a whole other world.
Superpower: Mastering the details.
Weakness: Talking to people.
Example:
Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook)—a developer at heart, he built the core platform from scratch.
5. Personality Founder
This one’s got charisma!
The Personality Founder is great at selling the vision, charming investors, and building relationships.
Their startup is basically their alter ego—big, bold, and full of energy.
Superpower: Networking like a pro.
Weakness: Sometimes too focused on the hype.\
Example:
Oprah Winfrey (OWN Network)—a founder with immense charisma, Oprah has built her media empire on the strength of her personal brand and her ability to connect with people on a deep level.
6. Accidental Founder
They didn’t plan this.
The Accidental Founder stumbled into the startup world—probably through solving a problem they faced.
Now, they’re running a business without really knowing how it all happened.
Superpower: Solving problems with ease.
Weakness: "Wait, what’s a pitch deck?"
Examples:
Yvon Chouinard (Patagonia)—an avid climber, Chouinard started making climbing gear for himself and friends, accidentally turning his passion into a global outdoor brand focused on sustainability.
Kevin Systrom (Instagram) started out as a photo-sharing enthusiast, which grew into a global platform.
7. Intentional Founder
This founder has a plan.
The Intentional Founder mapped out every step before they even launched.
They’re all about strategy, research, and execution.
While others are winging it, this founder is working the playbook.
Superpower: Organization and preparation.
Weakness: Sometimes overthinking everything.
Examples:
Jeff Bezos (Amazon)—famously calculated in his decisions, building a behemoth with a long-term strategy in mind.
Jessica Alba (The Honest Company)—Alba built her company with a clear, intentional focus on providing safe, eco-friendly products for families. Her strategic approach to building a socially responsible business has been key to its growth.
Which one sounds like you?
Maybe you’re a mix of a few types.
Either way, understanding your founder style helps you make better decisions and build on your strengths.
Let me know which type you relate to most in the commend—I'd love to hear!
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THANKS FOR READING!
- Entreney